STARS is set to challenge what we expect from health facilities and change the way people recover from serious treatment, with a design that reflects the latest insights into better long-term care.

The Surgical, Treatment and Rehabilitation Service (STARS) is the first building to be completed as part of the redevelopment of Herston Quarter – an expansive health and wellbeing precinct in Brisbane, Australia, master planned and designed by Hassell.

This best-practice facility is a working model of a connected healing environment – a place designed to improve both the experience and outcomes of patients recovering from surgery.

By swapping sterile, clinical environments for a bright, welcoming setting, STARS recognises the benefits of exposure to natural light and access to green spaces. It also reflects evidence demonstrating the value of uninterrupted care – staying in the same place, seeing the same medical staff and feeling safe and familiar.

The facility features a range of places for people to interact – the kinds of settings shown to improve the health of patients. This includes dining areas that break out onto landscaped rooftop decks and lush courtyards, plus extra retail and dining options.

STARS also strengthens important connections with The University of Queensland (UQ), with a dedicated level equipped with dry lab therapy areas and clinical spaces for students to conduct real-time research. By working alongside researchers, clinicians will be able to put solutions immediately into action, providing a high level of individualised care.

Ultimately, STARS will improve access to services and patient outcomes, contributing to meeting goals for outpatient numbers and waiting lists.

Project Data

LANDEZINE ARCHITECTURE Hassell

CLIENT Australian Unity with Metro North Hospital and Health Service

LOCATION Brisbane, Australia

COMPLETED 2021

SCALE 35,000sqm

DESIGN TEAM

Stephen Watson, Kevin Lloyd, Adam Davies, Daniel Kallis, John Irvine, Guy Grigson, David Gowty, Keith Hayes, Tarek Barclay, Carla dal Santo, Chantel Antony, Graham Lowe, Jennifer Greatex, Jared Thorpe, Kevin Hu, Marnie Reid, Natalie Johns, Sandra Forko

IMAGERY Tom Ross, David Chatfield, Scott Burrows

AWARDS

2022 Property Council of Australia National Innovation and Excellence Awards – Best Public Building
2022 Queensland Government Minister’s Award for Urban Design: Commendation
2021 AILA QLD Landscape Architecture Awards – Landscape Architecture Award for Health and Education Landscape
2021 AILA National Award of Excellence for Health and Education Landscape